Categories: New York City, Member News, Openings
04.16.2014
NY/NY III project from Odyssey House brings 56 apartments to Soundview
Roughly 100 friends and partners gathered last week for the grand opening of Odyssey House Soundview Avenue, the new home of 56 formerly homeless New Yorkers. Located in the Bronx, this supportive housing residence provides studio apartments and access to services for some of the most vulnerable men and women in New York City.
A number of guest speakers were on hand at the April 10 ribbon cutting. Among those to deliver remarks at the event were NYS Rep. Marcos Crespo, James Lupoli of the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), a tenant at the residence and several senior staffers at Odyssey House, the nonprofit developer of the project. Soundview Avenue is one of two supportive housing residences by Odyssey House to open in April.
“Helping people faced with the challenges of mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders is our mission,” said Dr. Peter Provet, President and CEO of Odyssey House. “With the opening this spring of these two new buildings, Odyssey House currently manages the housing and supportive services needs of 171 formerly homeless New Yorkers who, despite serious mental health challenges, are now living in their own homes.”
All 56 apartments at Odyssey House Soundview Avenue were built with funding through the New York/New York III Supportive Housing Agreement. OMH provided funding for both the construction of the residence and its operations and services. The NYS Housing Finance Agency contributed capital funding as well.
The residence also includes a number of green features. The project uses 15% less energy and 30% less water than a comparable apartment building of its size. To help make this green, humane residence a reality, Odyssey House tapped Urban Architectural Initiatives to serve as the architect and Lettire Construction Company to serve as the contractor.
We’d like to congratulate Odyssey House and the 56 tenants at Soundview Ave. on this gorgeous new residence! We’re also looking forward to a second Odyssey House grand opening later this month. On April 24, the organization will cut the ribbon outside Odyssey House Tinton Avenue, a 65-unit residence. Click here to learn more and RSVP to that event.
Photo courtesy of Odyssey House